COURSE DESCRIPTION

Covers the fundamental facts, laws, principles, theories, and concepts of chemistry necessary for further work in science or science-related subjects. Stresses atomic structure, periodic properties of matter, chemical bonding, and molecular geometry of organic and inorganic molecules, states of matter, stoichiometry, and properties of solutions. 

MANDATORY: Online Orientation: All students must complete an online orientation to the course before the deadline announced on Bb. The orientation module will take you through the details of the course structure and policies outlined in this syllabus. You can access the orientation module on Blackboard on the first day of class and the signed Student Information Sheet must be submitted at the beginning of the first week.

COURSE RATIONALE

This course covers the fundamental facts, laws, principles, theories and concepts of chemistry necessary for further work in science or science related subjects.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY:

This is a hybrid course, taught as a DIL lecture and traditional lab combination. The lecture portion of the course available online on Blackboard focuses on discussing chemistry concepts and follows a system-based approach. Audiovisual resources such as images, videos, animations, PowerPoint presentations, narrations and simulations are integral components of online content. Often students will be expected to view videos or on-line modules on specific topics. The lab conducted in person emphasizes study of chemical behavior of substances. Most of the labs are self-directed. Students must actively read the lab handouts to prepare for the labs. The labs provide a hands-on learning environment and application to material. Students are expected to actively engage in collaborative learning. Fundamental concepts will be reemphasized throughout the course. Critical thinking skills will be taught and tested throughout the entire semester. Students are expected to bring lecture and lab handouts to class each day. Students are also expected to complete the assigned readings, videos and/or on-line modules, and any other assigned activities.The lecture will generally consist of notes written on the Blackboard or displayed via PowerPoint. Anything written or displayed on the Blackboard is likely of great importance to the subject.

Prerequisites: One year of high school chemistry or CHEM 1305 (1405); two years high school algebra or MATH 1314 with a grade "C" or better.

Co-Requisite: CHEM-1111

Note that students registered in CHEM 1111 Laboratory who already have a credit in the 1311 Lecture class may request approval to drop the 1305 section if currently enrolled again. Such a request must be submitted to the Department Chair before the Census date/official reporting date for approval (see below).  Request submitted after the Census deadline will not be approved.

 Instructional Methodology

This course consists of a Lecture section only, but requires co-enrollment in a CHEM 1111 Laboratory section.  This is a hybrid course, taught as a DIL lecture and traditional lab combination. The lecture portion of the course available online on Blackboard focuses on discussing chemistry concepts and follows a system-based approach. Audiovisual resources such as images, videos, animations, PowerPoint presentations, narrations and simulations are integral components of online content. Often students will be expected to view videos or on-line modules on specific topics. The lab conducted in person emphasizes study of chemical behavior of substances. Most of the labs are self-directed. Students must actively read the lab handouts to prepare for the labs. The labs provide a hands-on learning environment and application to material. Students are expected to actively engage in collaborative learning. Fundamental concepts will be reemphasized throughout the course. Critical thinking skills will be taught and tested throughout the entire semester. Students are expected to bring lecture and lab handouts to class each day. Students are also expected to complete the assigned readings, videos and/or on-line modules, and any other assigned activities.

Required Texts/Materials

Textbook: It’s a ZTC course.  However, the preferred textbooks are: Chemistry: A Molecular Approach 6th Edition – by Nivaldo Tro or Chemistry - by Zumdahl 10th Edition or “The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change - by Silberberg and Amateis, 9th Edition; Publisher: McGraw Hill, 2020. A free online text in place of any printed book will work as well.  I will discuss all this during our orientation.

Required: scientific calculator, including log/exponent functions, or higher function (graphing calculator). Cellular devices are not permitted outside specific activities.

Aktiv Learning: 

• Visit aktiv.com/login and choose to “Create New Account”
• Fill out the Sign-Up form
• Verify your account email by clicking on the link request
• In your Account page, choose to “Join Course”.
• Aktiv has a payment grace period after which you must activate the course by purchasing online or by entering an access code purchased at a bookstore.
• You may choose to download the Aktiv Learning app for use on your phone or tablet during class
• For future visits, login on the app or at aktiv.com/login

Before each class, make sure you have read the appropriate sections of the text which are listed on Blackboard under Class Assignments, and completed associated Lecture Videos. Homework assignments will be assigned periodically throughout the semester. See the tabs for Class Assignments and Calendar under Blackboard for which specific chapter sections and assignments are important for each class period. Homework and Unit exams should be completed as designated in the Calendar.

The lecture will generally consist of notes written on the board, or displayed via PowerPoint. Anything written or displayed on the board is likely of great importance to the subject, gleaned from the material at your disposal.

Internet access: Computer with a Blackboard-friendly browser such as Chrome or Firefox Mozilla. Make sure you have Office PowerPoint (PP viewer is adequate), Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash player, Shock-wave player and Quick-time player installed; iPad may not play Flash animations unless you buy additional apps (such as Puffin browser).

DISTANCE EDUCATION: “Students will use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, and collaboration.”   ACC Distance Education General Information available at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/

Attendance/Class Participation

General Test Policies: You are responsible for maintaining scholastic honesty during all assessments (see the section on Scholastic Dishonesty). Anyone found cheating or indulging in scholastic dishonesty will be dropped from the course or given a grade ‘F’ and reported for further action. Cell phones, pagers, smart watches, and wearable electronic devices must be turned OFF during tests. You may not answer your cell phones or check/write text messages during tests. Use of a cell phone as a calculator during a test is NOT permitted. In case you have a work pager that cannot be turned off, you may leave it with me for the entire duration of the test. Any violation of the above will automatically result in a score of ‘zero’ in that assessment or test. You are not allowed to wear smart watches, such as but not limited to Apple Watch, during tests. You will receive a zero for the test if found wearing (not necessarily using) a smart watch during the test.

Curves: No curving will be done on any of the tests or the Final Course Grade. Final points tally at the end of all assessments will be rounded off (not up) to the nearest integer.

Tracking Your Grades: ACC policies concerning the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), disallow the posting of grades on bulletin boards or communicating grades by phone or e-mail. You can find details of FERPA at http://www.austincc.edu/ferpa. Your grades will be posted on Blackboard. Conferences: You are strongly advised to meet with me if you score less than the passing score of 70% in a test.

MAKEUP TESTS & MAKEUP LAB PRACTICALS

There will be NO MAKEUP tests. You must contact me as soon as possible (by phone or e-mail) if you must miss a lecture test and provide appropriate verification for your absence. There are NO makeup lab practical or quizzes. If you miss a lab practical or quiz, your grade for it will be 0.

Retests: There are no retests; once you take a test, you cannot take it again to for a better grade.

LATE WORK POLICY:

 Assignments submitted after the announced deadlines will NOT be accepted and will receive a zero grade.

ATTENDANCE

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. Your performance depends heavily on your class and lab attendance. Regular attendance will improve your chances for success. You are responsible for all materials, activities, assignments, or announcements covered in class, regardless of your reason for being absent. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to get lecture notes from someone in the class and to get handouts and assignments from me/Blackboard. Attendance will be regularly checked for each lecture and lab session. Experience has proven repeatedly that poor attendance results in poor grades! The instructor has the right but not the responsibility to drop a student who has missed more than 2 labs (see withdrawal policy). You should be in the lab and ready to participate by the scheduled beginning of each lab. When you are late, the lab is disrupted. You should refrain from going out of the class while the lab is going on. It is not only essential that you remain in class for the entire time to able to understand material and thereby perform well in the course, but, also significant as it is a distraction for the other students in class when someone or the other is in and out of class frequently. It may also pose a safety hazard in the lab. It is also mandatory to login on Blackboard, view contents and participate in Bb activities regularly. You may be withdrawn from the class if you do not log in to Bb for more than ONE WEEK (this corresponds to 4 regular lecture classes in a 16-week semester).

CLASS PARTICIPATION EXPECTATIONS

The course schedule indicates topics to be covered each week. Students are expected to strictly follow the course schedule of topics listed for each week. Although, there are no classroom lectures, I expect you to progress through the course at the same pace and to the same depth and breadth as any classroom section would do. Expect to spend long hours on Bb. Here are some specific expectations on class participation:

• You must dedicate enough time to go over the study materials available on Bb. Ideally, schedule a MINIMUM of 20-25 hours each week for studying the materials. Many students need to spend MORE time to obtain a grade higher than a C. Short study periods every day are much more effective than one long study session.

• Check Blackboard daily for announcements, assignments, and study materials.

• Try to do the activities available under the “Learning Activities” folder on Bb as many as times as you can.

• Be prepared on each topic by previewing the lecture presentations, reading the lecture notes or textbook.

• Complete all review assignments on Mastering A&P in a timely manner. • You must complete the study guides for each chapter.

• Read the textbook regularly. You should read appropriate sections in the textbook that were covered in the presentations.

• Be prepared for each lab by reading the handout and appropriate section of the textbook.

• Actively participate in all online and lab activities, including computer simulations. Use the interactive tools available on Bb to interact with each other and with the instructor. • Come to the lab ready with your questions and ideas you wish to share.

• Attend Open Labs regularly. You may NOT have enough time during lab to master all of the material.

• Find a study partner (your lab group is a good starting point).

• Form small study groups outside the class so that you can learn from each other.

• Come see me if you need help.

WITHDRAWAL

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The instructor has the right, but not the responsibility, to drop a student from the course at any time without warning for any of the following reasons:

• you do not successfully complete the online orientation and you fail to submit a signed copy of the Student Information Sheet before the deadline,
• you do not have the necessary course prerequisites,
• you missed more than one test,
• you missed more than 2 labs,
• you failed to log into Bb for more than a week,
• disciplinary issues (e.g. scholastic dishonesty, disruptive /aggressive behavior, unsafe conduct etc.) You are responsible for monitoring your progress in the course and determining if you need to withdraw. I can help you make that decision, but the final decision is that of your own. You can withdraw by following the procedures set out by the ACC Admissions and Records office on any campus before the stated deadline.

Last day to withdraw without a W on your transcript: November 20, 2025.

If you stop attending class but do not withdraw yourself from the course, you may end up with a grade of F for the semester. If your name appears on the class roster at the end of the semester, the instructor is required to enter a grade against your name, and it will be a grade of F if you do not complete all withdrawal procedures before the last day of withdrawal.

RULE OF THREE

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.

SIX-DROP RULE

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

REINSTATEMENT POLICY

In order to be reinstated in the class after having been withdrawn, the student must have been enrolled in the course on the stated reporting date, as demonstrated by the twelfth-day class roll, must have been withdrawn from the course in error, must show evidence of being capable of passing the course within the time remaining in the semester, and the instructor must have documentation that the student is eligible to be reinstated in the course.

INCOMPLETE GRADES

Incomplete grades are rarely given in this class and will only be given in extreme emergencies and entirely at my discretion. A grade of incomplete (I) will be assigned only if:

• You have a valid reason and I agree to give you an incomplete grade; and

• You request a grade of ‘I’ in writing, with documentation / verification of the extreme circumstances; and

• You have completed at least 75% of the course work; and

• You have at least a C (70%) average on completed work; and

• The reason for your request has occurred after the official drop deadline for the course; and

 • You provide all documentation and sign the required form prior to the last day of class.

Be aware that incomplete that is not finished convert to F grades automatically, regardless of your grade average when you request the incomplete. It is your responsibility to keep track of the deadlines of automatic conversion and to request scheduling of incomplete assessments prior to those dates.

Course Content/Calendar

Course Content

The course content will be divided into four units; at the end of each there will be a unit exam covering the major topics from that unit. The material breakdown for those units is as follows:

• Unit 1 – Students will learn fundamental concepts for exploring science, including energy, matter and properties of matter; measurement, units, error and data reporting; components of matter, elements, compounds, and chemical changes to matter, as well as concepts of bonding, chemical nomenclature, chemical equations and the mole concept.  Material is expounded in chapters 1, 2, 3, & 9, with some supplementation.
• Unit 2 – Students will learn stoichiometry, solution-state chemistry, and stoichiometric relationships in solution state, as well as fundamentals relating to molecular dynamics and phase behavior, including kinetic molecular theory, properties of gas, and stoichiometric gas relationships. Material is expounded in chapters 3, 4, 5 & 13, with some supplementation.
• Unit 3 – Students will learn as principles relating to energetics in chemistry, as well as the concepts of light and quantum mechanics, electron configuration, and periodic properties. Material is expounded in chapters 6, 7, 8 & 9, with some supplementation
• Unit 4 – Students will learn principles related to the structure and behavior of molecules, including bonding theories and representation of molecules. Students will also learn the concepts of polarity and solutions, with detailed explanations of chemical principles concerning chemical changes, including an overview of types of reactions, including oxidation-reduction potentials, and liquids and phase change energetics Material is expounded in chapters 4, 10, 11, 12 & 13, with some supplementation.

Module/Unit/Week/Chapter Level Alignment Information:

LECTURE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

Module 1: Keys to Studying Chemistry: Definition, Units, Problem Solving and the components of the Matter.

Week # 1 & 2

Syllabus and Matters, Measurements and Problem Solving

• 1.1 Atoms and Molecules
• 1.2 The Scientific Approach to Knowledge
• 1.3 The Classification of Matter
• 1.4 Physical and Chemical Changes and Physical and Chemical Properties
• 1.5 Energy: A Fundamental Part of Physical and Chemical Change
• 1.6 The Units of Measurement
• 1.7 The Reliability of a Measurement
• 1.8 Solving Chemical Problems
• 1.9 Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Module 1: Assignment 1: September 05, 2025

Week # 2 & 3

 Atoms and Elements

• • 2.1 Brownian Motion: Atoms Confirmed
  • 2.2 Early Ideas about the Building Blocks of Matter
  • 2.3 Modern Atomic Theory and the Laws That Led to It
  • 2.4 The Discovery of the Electron
  • 2.5 The Structure of the Atom
  • 2.6 Subatomic Particles: Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons in Atoms
  • 2.7 Finding Patterns: The Periodic Law and the Periodic Table
  • 2.8 Atomic Mass: The Average Mass of an Element’s Atoms
  • 2.9 Molar Mass: Counting Atoms by Weighing Them

Module 1: Assignment 2: September 19, 2025

Exam 1: September 22, 2025

Module 2: Stoichiometry, Major Classes of Chemical Reactions, Gases and Kinetic-Molecular Theory, and Thermochemistry

Week # 4& 5

Molecules and Compounds

• • 3.1 Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Water
  • 3.2 Chemical Bonds
  • 3.3 Representing Compounds: Chemical Formulas and Molecular Models
  • 3.4 An Atomic-Level View of Elements and Compounds
  • 3.5 Ionic Compounds: Formulas and Names
  • 3.6 Molecular Compounds: Formulas and Names
  • 3.7 Summary of Inorganic Nomenclature
  • 3.8 Formula Mass and the Mole Concept for Compounds
  • 3.9 Composition of Compounds
  • 3.10 Determining a Chemical Formula from Experimental Data
  • 3.11 Organic Compounds

Week # 5 & 6

Chemical Reactions and Chemical Quantities

• • 4.1 Climate Change and the Combustion of Fossil Fuels
  • 4.2 Writing and Balancing Chemical Equations
  • 4.3 Reaction Stoichiometry: How Much Carbon Dioxide?
  • 4.4 Stoichiometric Relationships: Limiting Reactant, Theoretical Yield, Percent Yield, and Reactant in Excess
  • 4.5 Three Examples of Chemical Reactions: Combustion, Alkali Metals, and Halogens

Introduction to Solutions and Aqueous Reactions

• • 5.1 Molecular Gastronomy and the Spherified Cherry
  • 5.2 Solution Concentration
  • 5.3 Solution Stoichiometry
  • 5.4 Types of Aqueous Solutions and Solubility
  • 5.5 Precipitation Reactions
  • 5.6 Representing Aqueous Reactions: Molecular, Ionic, and Net Ionic Equations
  • 5.7 Acid–Base Reactions
  • 5.8 Gas-Evolution Reactions
  • 5.9 Oxidation–Reduction Reactions

Module 2: Assignment 3: October 03, 2025

Week # 7

Gases and the Kinetic Molecular Theory

• 6.1 Supersonic Skydiving and the Risk of Decompression
• 6.2 Pressure: The Result of Molecular Collisions
• 6.3 The Simple Gas Laws: Boyle’s Law, Charles’s Law, and Avogadro’s Law
• 6.4 The Ideal Gas Law
• 6.5 Applications of the Ideal Gas Law: Molar Volume, Density, and Molar Mass of a Gas
• 6.6 Mixtures of Gases and Partial Pressures
• 6.7 Gases in Chemical Reactions: Stoichiometry Revisited
• 6.8 Kinetic Molecular Theory: A Model for Gases
• 6.9 Mean Free Path, Diffusion, and Effusion of Gases
• 6.10 Real Gases: The Effects of Size and Intermolecular Forces

Week # 7 & 8

Thermochemistry: Energy Flow and Chemical Change

• 7.1 Chemical Hand Warmers
• 7.2 The Nature of Energy: Key Definitions
• 7.3 The First Law of Thermodynamics: There Is No Free Lunch
• 7.4 Quantifying Heat and Work
• 7.5 Measuring for Chemical Reactions: Constant-Volume Calorimetry
• 7.6 Enthalpy: The Heat Evolved in a Chemical Reaction at Constant Pressure
• 7.7 Constant-Pressure Calorimetry: Measuring
• 7.8 Relationships Involving
• 7.9 Determining Enthalpies of Reaction from Standard Enthalpies of Formation
• 7.10 Energy Use and the Environment

Module 2: Assignment 4: October 17, 2025

*Exam 2: October 20, 2025

Module 3: Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure, Electronic Configuration, Periodicity, Chemical Bonding, The Shapes of the Molecules, and Theories of Covalent Bonding

Week # 9 & 10

The Quantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom

• 8.1 Schrödinger’s Cat
• 8.2 The Nature of Light
• 8.3 Atomic Spectroscopy and the Bohr Model
• 8.4 The Wave Nature of Matter: The de Broglie Wavelength, the Uncertainty Principle, and Indeterminacy
• 8.5 Quantum Mechanics and the Atom
• 8.6 The Shapes of Atomic Orbitals

Periodic Properties of the Elements

• 9.1 Nerve Signal Transmission
• 9.2 The Development of the Periodic Table
• 9.3 Electron Configurations: How Electrons Occupy Orbitals
• 9.4 Electron Configurations, Valence Electrons, and the Periodic Table
• 9.5 The Explanatory Power of the Quantum-Mechanical Model
• 9.6 Periodic Trends in the Size of Atoms and Effective Nuclear Charge
• 9.7 Ions: Electron Configurations, Magnetic Properties, Ionic Radii, and Ionization Energy
• 9.8 Electron Affinities and Metallic Character
• 9.9 Periodic Trends Summary

Module 3: Assignment 5: October 31, 2025

Week # 11 & 12

Chemical Bonding I: The Lewis Model

• • 10.1 Bonding Models and AIDS Drugs
  • 10.2 Types of Chemical Bonds
  • 10.3 Representing Valence Electrons with Dots
  • 10.4 Ionic Bonding: Lewis Symbols and Lattice Energies
  • 10.5 Covalent Bonding: Lewis Structures
  • 10.6 Electronegativity and Bond Polarity
  • 10.7 Lewis Structures of Molecular Compounds and Polyatomic Ions
  • 10.8 Resonance and Formal Charge
  • 10.9 Exceptions to the Octet Rule: Odd-Electron Species, Incomplete Octets, and Expanded Octets
  • 10.10 Bond Energies and Bond Lengths
  • 10.11 Bonding in Metals: The Electron Sea Model

Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, Valence Bond Theory, and Molecular Orbital Theory

• 11.1 Morphine: A Molecular Imposter
• 11.2 VSEPR Theory: The Five Basic Shapes
• 11.3  VSEPR Theory: The Effect of Lone Pairs
• 11.4 VSEPR Theory: Predicting Molecular Geometries
• 11.5 Molecular Shape and Polarity
• 11.6 Valence Bond Theory: Orbital Overlap as a Chemical Bond
• 11.7 Valence Bond Theory: Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals
• 11.8 Molecular Orbital Theory: Electron Delocalization

Module 3: Assignment 6: November 14, 2025

*Exam 3: November 17, 2025

Module 4: Liquids, IMFs, Solids, And Solutions

Week # 13-16

Liquids, Solids, and Intermolecular Forces

• • 12.1 Water, No Gravity
  • 12.2 Solids, Liquids, and Gases: A Molecular Comparison
  • 12.3 Intermolecular Forces: The Forces That Hold Condensed States Together
  • 12.4 Intermolecular Forces in Action: Surface Tension, Viscosity, and Capillary Action
  • 12.5 Vaporization and Vapor Pressure
  • 12.6 Sublimation and Fusion
  • 12.7 Heating Curve for Water
  • 12.8 Phase Diagrams
  • 12.9 Water: An Extraordinary Substance

Solutions

• • 14.1 Thirsty Solutions: Why You Shouldn’t Drink Seawater
  • 14.2 Types of Solutions and Solubility
  • 14.3 Energetics of Solution Formation
  • 14.4 Solution Equilibrium and Factors Affecting Solubility
  • 14.5 Expressing Solution Concentration
  • 14.6 Colligative Properties: Vapor Pressure Lowering, Freezing Point Depression, Boiling Point Elevation, and Osmotic Pressure
  • 14.7 Colligative Properties of Strong Electrolyte Solutions
  • 14.8 Colloids

Module 4: Assignment 7: December 05, 2025

Exam 4:  Comprehensive Final December 08, 2025 

Proctorio Lockdown Browser: Exams must be taken using Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor, which requires a Windows (7, 8, 10) or Mac (OS X 10.10 or higher) computer or iPad (iOS 10.0+) with a webcam or integrated camera.  Chromebooks and most phones will not work but alternate arrangements may be made for Chromebooks.  Exams will have a time limit.  Questions will be displayed one at a time.  Each exam will be available on Blackboard and must be completed by the posted due date on the schedule in the syllabus.  This course will challenge students to rise to their fullest potential, including improving their study and learning habits and time management skills. Students can expect to spend several hours per week outside class preparing for lecture and completing assigned tasks.

Here are the details how to download Proctorio Extension for Aktiv Learning Quizzes and Exams.
Proctorio for Students _ Intro, Set Up, FAQ & Troubleshoot.pdf (A pdf copy is given under Content Area in the Blackboard)

Course work will include online formative skill homework questions, major exams, and a cumulative fourth exam.

• Homework problems in the form of Assignments will be posted to and turned in on Blackboard.
• Unit exams will be True/False and Multiple based questions
• The final exam will be comprehensive and mandatory.

Homework will consist of problem sets designated as Homework Assignments. Assignments will be scored and calculated to a total of 100 points at the end of semester.

Make sure you have read the appropriate sections of the text which are listed on Blackboard under Class Assignments, and completed associated Lecture Videos. Homework assignments will be assigned periodically throughout the semester. See the tabs for Class Assignments and Calendar under Blackboard for which specific chapter sections and assignments are important for each class period. Homework and Unit exams should be completed as designated in the Calendar.

Evaluation:

The student’s grade for this course will be determined by performance of the following tasks:

1. Three Unit Exams
2. Homework
3. Comprehensive Fourth Exam

Course Grade 

This is how your course grade will be determined:

Unit exams will follow the conclusion of each unit, and at the end of the semester a final fourth exam will be held. Each exam must be completed on the scheduled date. 

Aktiv Learning assignments: Each chapter will have a graded homework assignment available through Aktiv Learning. Students will have a limit of three attempts per question.

I strongly recommend that you keep up with the Aktiv Learning assignments as topics are covered in class. Working out problems is one of the best ways to learn. For this reason, I suggest keeping a separate notebook in which you record and work all homework problems. This will be an invaluable study aid when you are preparing for an exam. Aktiv Learning assignments will be due on the dates listed in the Course Schedule table at the end of this document. You may also refer to Aktiv Learning for exact due dates. The follow-up questions do not carry any weight and will not be counted in the final grade calculations.  These are only for your additional practices on the questions, which you have got wrong during your assignments.

If you have chemistry questions about Aktiv Learning, it is best if you email me (mohan@austincc.edu). Please make sure to include your name and section number, as well as a description of the problem.

There are three ways for students to obtain assistance with Aktiv Learning technical issues. Students may send email messages to support@aktiv.com, they may call or text (646)798-5323, or they may visit the support website at aktiv.com/support. Please keep in mind that technical support is only available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to midnight ET, and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET

Suggestions for how to best approach the homework:

• At the start of an assignment, you may find yourself dependent upon the text, class notes, study partners, etc. It should be your goal to eliminate all extra help as soon as possible. Why? The bulk of the points in this course come from the knowledge demonstrated on exams, during which outside assistance is expressly forbidden.
• Students routinely complain that they earn perfect scores on the homework, and then make lower scores on the exams. Aktiv Learning is a learning tool, not an assessment. Good performance on Aktiv Learning assignments is no guarantee of equivalent performance on exams. Aktiv Learning questions should be completed with the purpose of gaining understanding of the material.

One final note about the homework: It is never my intent that students should devote hours to answering homework problems WITHOUT MAKING GOOD PROGRESS. What does this mean? If a student looks at a problem and after five minutes of concentrated effort is no closer to a correct answer, it is time to ask for help.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved.

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements

Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with them.

If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any ACC campus: (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online: https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling . While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the Compliance Office for resources and options: Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964; compliance@austincc.edu.

If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution.  Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression.  Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents.    Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college.  See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

Statement on Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities.  Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).   Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  

Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided.   Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.  

Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.   

Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available athttp://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/

Safety Statement

Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

Health & Safety Protocols

Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through all public entrances.  While some health & safety protocols are no longer mandatory, the college encourages its staff, faculty, and students to be mindful of the well-being of all individuals on campus.  If you feel sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to campus.

Some important things to remember:

• If you have not done so, ACC encourages all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available throughout the community. Visit www.vaccines.gov/ to find a vaccine location near you.
• If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, please get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility. Testing is now widely available.
• If you test positive, please report it on the ACC self-reporting tool located here.
• ACC continues to welcome face masks on campus.  Per CDC guidelines, face masks remain a good way to protect yourself from COVID-19.  The college cannot mandate indoor masking, but is encouraging it during this spike in cases as a result of the Delta variant.
• The college asks that we all continue to respect the personal space of others. We are encouraging 3 feet of social distancing.
• Please be sure to carry your student, faculty, or staff ID badge at all times while on campus.

Because of the ever changing situation, please go to ACC’s Covid website at https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus?ref=audiencemenu for the latest updates and guidance.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures. 

Statement on Academic Freedom"Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The common good depends upon a search for truth and upon free expression. In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions. Students are free to take exception to views offered in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. Grades will not be affected by personal views. With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions. This means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from name-calling or other personal attacks."

Student Discipline Policy

"Students at the College have the rights accorded to all persons under the Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility for each individual to accord the same rights to others in the College community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. As willing partners in learning, it is expected that students will comply with College rules and procedures. ACC students are recognized as responsible persons who neither lose the rights nor escape the responsibilities of citizenship. Enrollment in the College indicates acceptance of the rules set forth in this policy, administered through the office of the Campus Dean of Student Services. Due process, through an investigation and appeal process, is assured to any student involved in disciplinary action

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account.  Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php.

Student And Instructional Services

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these services and support systems is available at:   http://www.austincc.edu/s4/

Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current/

ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored.  The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:  http://www.autincc.edu/tutor/students/tutoring.php

For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab. 

Concealed Handgun Policy

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

Refer to the concealed handgun policy online at austincc.edu/campuscarry.

1. Understand the states of matter and the difference among elements, compounds and mixtures. 

2. Understand SI units and use dimensional analysis to perform calculations correctly with proper attention to units and to express results to the correct number of significant figures. 

3. Determine empirical and molecular formulas from empirical data. 

4. Understand the basic concepts of the quantum theory, determine the electronic configurations of the atoms, and use periodic table to make predictions about trend in their atomic properties. 

5. Understand the basic concept of thermochemistry 

6. Use Hess’s law 

7. Understand theories of chemical bonding, Lewis dot structures, and determine the molecular geometry of molecules using VSEPR theory. 

8. Understand the polar and nonpolar covalent compounds, hybridization, and molecular orbital theory. 

9. Understand formal charges, and resonance theory. 

10. Determine name and formulas of molecular compounds, ionic compounds, and acids. 

11. Identify basic types of chemical reactions and write molecular, total and net-ionic equations. 

12. Balance chemical equations and use stoichiometric relationships and the mole concept to calculate product (percent of yield) and reactant amounts and identify the limiting reactants.

13. Calculate and utilize solution concentration units such as molarity.

14. Understand the gas laws and kinetic molecular theory. 

15. Explain the intermolecular attractive forces that determine the properties of the states of the matter and phase behavior.

16. Understand colligative properties and their use in determining the characteristics of solutions. 

GENERAL EDUCATION

As a Core Curriculum course, students completing this course will demonstrate competence in:

1. Critical Thinking - Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.
2.  Interpersonal Skills - Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.
3. Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning - Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods.
4. Written, Oral and Visual Communication - Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
5. Technology Skills - Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze and present information.

DEPARTMENTAL COMMON COURSE OBJECTIVES: The ACC Chemistry Department has specified the content for this course in the departmental common course objectives. The departmental objectives are located at http://www.austincc.edu/chem/objectives.php. You may be tested on ALL of the material in the objectives, whether it is covered in the lecture or not. Some of the objectives are covered in the lecture and lab and some you must complete on your own. A copy of the learning objectives for each topic will be available on the Blackboard course site.